the research consultancy for energy technologies

Company Diligence

  • Plug power: green hydrogen breakthroughs?

    Plug power: green hydrogen breakthroughs?

    Our Plug Power technology review is drawn from the company’s recent patent filings, which offer some of the most detailed disclosures we have ever seen into the manufacturing of PEM electrolysers and fuel cells, underlying catalyst materials, membranes and their manufacturing. One patent seems like a breakthrough. Other patents candidly presented challenges.

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  • MIRALON: turquoise hydrogen breakthrough?

    MIRALON: turquoise hydrogen breakthrough?

    MIRALON is an advanced material, being commercialized by Huntsman, purifying carbon nanotubes from the pyrolysis of methane and also yielding turquoise hydrogen. This data-file reviews MIRALON technology, patents, and a strong moat. Our model sees 15% IRRs if Huntsman reaches a medium-term cost target of $10/kg MIRALON and $1/kg H2.

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  • Bloom Energy: solid oxide fuel cell technology?

    Bloom Energy: solid oxide fuel cell technology?

    This data-file reviews Bloom Energy’s solid oxide fuel cell technology. What surprised us most was a candid overview of degradation pathways of solid oxide fuel cells, a focus on improving the longevity of fuel cells, albeit this sometimes seems to be via heavy uses of Rare Earth metals, and increasing complexity. The patents do suggest…

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  • Newlight AirCarbon: bioplastics breakthrough?

    Newlight AirCarbon: bioplastics breakthrough?

    Newlight is converting (bio-)methane and air into polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a type of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a biodegradable bioplastic which it markets as AirCarbon. The product is ‘carbon negative’, biodegradable, strong, ‘never soggy’, dishwasher safe. Our AirCarbon technology review found some good underlying innovations, but was unable to de-risk cost and capex aspirations.

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  • AirJoule: Metal Organic Framework HVAC breakthrough?

    AirJoule: Metal Organic Framework HVAC breakthrough?

    Montana Technologies is developing AirJoule, an HVAC technology that uses metal organic frameworks, to lower the energy costs of air conditioning by 50-75%. The company is going public via SPAC and targeting first revenues in 2024. Our AirJoule technology review finds strong rationale, technical details and challenges.

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  • Alterra Energy: technology review?

    Alterra Energy: technology review?

    Alterra Energy has steadily been refining its plastic recycling technology since 2017. The company recently signed license agreements with Neste and Freepoint. The technology is a continuous reactor, with seven discrete stages, using scavengers to remove contaminants, and patented hardware to minimize fouling and devolatilize chars.

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  • Entropy CCS: natural gas CCS breakthrough?

    Entropy CCS: natural gas CCS breakthrough?

    Advantage is a Montney gas producer, which recently sourced a $300M investment from Brookfield to scale up its Entropy23 amine blend for natural-gas CCS. Entropy has captured 90-93% of the CO2 at the first pilot plant at Glacier, Alberta, with 2.4 GJ/ton reboiler duty, 40% below MEA. This 7-page report confirms a moat around the…

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  • Topsoe: autothermal reforming technology?

    Topsoe: autothermal reforming technology?

    Topsoe autothermal reforming technology aims to maximize the uptime and reliability of blue hydrogen production, despite ultra-high combustion temperatures from the partial oxidation reaction, while achieving high energy efficiency, 90-97% CO2 capture and

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  • Electrasteel: renewable steel breakthrough?

    Electrasteel: renewable steel breakthrough?

    Electra is developing an electrochemical refining process, to convert iron ore into high purity iron, and ultimately into steel, using only renewable electricity. It has raised c$100M, gained high-profile backers, and is working towards a test plant. This 9-page note reviews an exceptionally detailed patent, finds clear innovations, but also some remaining risks and cost…

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  • Aker Carbon Capture: technology review?

    Aker Carbon Capture: technology review?

    Aker Carbon Capture is a public company, listed in Norway, with c120 permanent employees. It has developed novel solvents for post-combustion carbon capture, modular CCS plants (JustCatch, at 40-100kTpa, and BigCatch at >400kTpa). The company aims to secure contracts for 10MTpa of CCS by 2025. This technology review looks for a moat in the patents.

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